n. [ Indigo + -ol of phenol. ] (Chem., Physiol. Chem.) A white, crystalline substance, C8H7N, obtained from blue indigo, and almost all indigo derivatives, by a process of reduction; chemically, it is 2, 3-benzopyrrole, a bicyclic heterocyclic compound, having a benzene ring fused to a pyrrole ring. It is also formed from proteinaceous matter, together with skatol, by putrefaction, and by fusion with caustic potash, and is present in human excrement, as well as in the intestinal canal of some herbivora. It is produced in rich growth media by the intestinal bacterium Escherichia coli. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

n. (Chem., Bot.) A plant hormone (C10H9NO2) recognized as the principle growth regulator in higher plants; called also heteroauxin. Abbreviated IAA. Chemically it is 1H-indole-3-acetic acid. [ PJC ]

n. [ L. indolentia freedom from pain: cf. F. indolence. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Freedom from that which pains, or harasses, as toil, care, grief, etc. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I have ease, if it may not rather be called indolence. Bp. Hough. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The quality or condition of being indolent; inaction, or lack of exertion of body or mind, proceeding from love of ease or aversion to toil; habitual idleness; indisposition to labor; laziness; sloth; inactivity. [ 1913 Webster ]

Life spent in indolence, and therefore sad. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

As there is a great truth wrapped up in “diligence, ” what a lie, on the other hand, lurks at the root of our present use of the word “indolence”! This is from “in” and “doleo, ” not to grieve; and indolence is thus a state in which we have no grief or pain; so that the word, as we now employ it, seems to affirm that indulgence in sloth and ease is that which would constitute for us the absence of all pain. Trench. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Indolence. [ Obs. ] Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. in- not + L. dolens, -entis, p. pr. of dolere to feel pain: cf. F. indolent. See Dolorous. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Free from toil, pain, or trouble. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Indulging in ease; avoiding labor and exertion; habitually idle; lazy; inactive; as, an indolent man. [ 1913 Webster ]

To waste long nights in indolent repose. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Med.) Causing little or no pain or annoyance; as, an indolent tumor.

Syn. -- Idle; lazy; slothful; sluggish; listless; inactive; inert. See Idle. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an indolent manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

Calm and serene you indolently sit. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L. Cf. Adolescence. ] Natural disposition; natural quality or abilities. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Indol. ] (Chem.) A dark resinous substance, polymeric with indol, and obtained by the reduction of indigo white. [ 1913 Webster ]